This primer on consignment and discount stores explaining how they work will help you find incredible deals and fashion finds.  
- story by Greg Matusoff

Oftentimes vintage and consignment shop owners will frequent the thrift stores and purchase desirable items to resell.  Or individuals come in wanting to get in-store credit (higher percentage) or cash for their clothes. 

Shopping vintage and consignment is a great way to find high-end labels at lower-end prices, with the latter often carrying last season and end of season clothing.  The items might still have new tags, and you're more likely to find well-cared-for items that aren't ripped, worn-out, or t-shirts from a family reunion. 

Again, this is not a gold mine every time you go.  As with thrifting, it is hit or miss, but more often than not, I seem to find a big hit.  The more often you go, the more you'll find, but don't expect too many once-in-a-lifetime finds. The staff working here is well versed in apparel and knows quality pieces and what's trending now and will price accordingly.  That said, Prada sunglasses for $100 is a lot more palatable than $350+.

Locally we have a few great shops, including Identity Vintage in Bay St. Louis, for vintage pieces, Buffalo Exchange and Plato's Closet in New Orleans, Hertha's in Fairhope, and if you want to take a drive to my all-time favorite - Century 21 in Manhattan.   And when you're there, don't forget the tailor and cobbler to make pieces fit great. 

And if used clothing isn't your cup of tea, there are always plenty of options with the bigger-named discount stores - T.J. Maxx, Burkes, SteinMart, etc.  Everything you find here will be brand new and most items are really well-priced. 

But these, too, are hit and miss.  If you ask, you might find someone who will advise of what day new stock arrives.  It's typically one day a week with items going on the floor the next day.  With this information in hand, it's always good to be the first to go through new inventory because sometimes there's only a few pieces/sizes of a particular item. 

While you're asking questions, be sure and ask for common sale days or extra discount days.  With Burkes, for example, they have both a senior's day (Monday Club) and a junior's day (Friday Club with junior being under 50).  Just by getting a free Burkes card (discount, not credit) and showing up on your club day, you can get 15% off your entire purchase.  It pays to ask!

The Burke's Outlet in Bay St. Louis just recently expanded from 10,000 to 21,000 square feet, so that's a big plus for local bargain hunters.  
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Keep in mind the items you find in discount stores typically fall into one of three categories: irregular, last season/overstock, or discount designer.

Irregular

• The term really has a broad meaning, and don't let "defective" turn you off.  You just need to be mindful that items might have a slight or not so slight variance.  This could be that a stitch was off and it didn't pass inspection or one pant leg might be longer than the other.  So, try everything on, and keep the tailor in the back of your mind.

Overstock

• These items were manufactured with anticipated sales in mind, but didn’t sell as expected in higher end shops and department stores.  These are great finds because they're sometimes the same piece that's being sold elsewhere at a fraction of the price.  Alternatively, you might see a 'last season' sticker.  This is even better because you know that there are no defects, and especially when it comes to workout clothes, you can score some big savings.

Discount Designer

• Lastly, there are designers that are teaming up with more mainstream stores.  Mossimo at Target is a prime example of a big designer label that is producing trendy clothes for high-end boutiques but also has a more mass-produced (and more cheaply made) line at Target, but, it's stylish and affordable.   For a short time years ago, Benetton, one of my favorite brands, had a line at Sears, but unfortunately, that's over.

Keep in mind that these stores will stock for their demographic and sometimes you might find a "test store."  I came across a TJ Maxx in Cincinnati that always gets the most amazing brands - True Religion, AG, 7 for all Mankind, etc.  If you come across a treasure like this, make a note, because it'll be worth your while to make shopping destination road trips. 
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Whether it's new or used, old or fresh off the runway, have fun with discount shopping.  You can find some great items, expand your wardrobe, and in the end, we should all feel good about our own personal expression and live an inspired life.

Need some chic curtains?  Here's an inexpensive solution that whips together in a hurry - yet looks like a million bucks.
- story and photos by Holly Lemoine Raymond

Let’s get started!

First you’ll need to determine how long/short you want your curtains to be. I always measure twice so I only cut once.  I needed my curtains to be 7’ long by 4’ wide.

I washed my cloths without detergent and dried them to loosen the fabric a bit before working on it. I like the feel and “worn” look this process gave. If you are a little more of a perfectionist than I am, you can always iron the fabric after you wash and dry it to get all the wrinkles out.
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Next I folded the fabric in half, lengthwise and made my cut as straight as I could. This gave me two curtains. I did not “hem” the edges. Again, I like the worn, rustic look these drop cloth curtains provide and, quite frankly, I don’t have the kind of time I would need to be a perfectionist. 

​I have a great seamstress, Gretchen Fleming, (238-342-2743) who has hemmed a few more for my office where I needed a bit more of a professional look. Or, you can use the fabric tape as demonstrated below. 

​Once you get the fabric tape in place, you will need to use a hot iron to “seal the deal.”

Let’s get these curtains hung.

To continue the rustic-industrial look, I used oil rubbed bronze drapery clip rings. I bought mine at Lowe’s for under $10 but you can get these almost anywhere, including Target, Amazon and WalMart… All the rings I have seen come in various colors and range from $6.99 to $15.99 depending on finish and/or number per set.

Space the clips evenly on your curtains and slide them on the curtain rod and you are ready to hang. Ta-da! That’s all there is to it! Now you’ve got an expensive look for an inexpensive price.

If you will be using piping as your curtain rod, hanging will be a little more complicated. You will need to put the clip rings on the piping before you affix the piping to the wall. But the look can’t be beat. Otherwise, this project was easy-peasy.

Note:  If you want to spice up your curtains a bit, you can color them with RIT Fabric Dye. Just follow the directions and you will have the perfect accent for your windows.

These smaller coast Mardi Gras parades are guaranteed to bring out the kid in everyone! 
- story by Karen Fineran, photos by Ellis Anderson 

Award-winning author and syndicated columnist Rheta Grimsley Johnson muses about authenticity, character and signage on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

But I guess that’s how towns stay pretty, fussing over the details. Only sometimes they miss the forest while pruning the bottle trees.

For me, in this age of insubstantial people and things, I find the Pass’ HOTEL sign refreshing, nostalgic. It harkens to the days when college football bowl games did not have long corporate sponsor names and pharmacies innocently blinked DRUGS.

I once lived in a humble and ugly apartment complex just offthe interstate in Jackson. It was called Pine Hills Apartments. There were no pines, or hills, just cheap boxy apartments thrown up on a concrete pad. But I suppose few would have rented them if the owners had called it Ugly Sprawl Near Interstate Village.

So I guess that’s also why I like the Hotel Whiskey’s approach. HOTEL. No brag, just fact. Written in red like Jesus’ words in the Bible. Easy to see. Not like a fast food joint in the rich part of town that has to disguise itself to be there. 

Now when you get to the fine print, the HOTEL’s Whiskey part makes the place sound like a Willie Nelson song. I also like that. All a traveler’s needs encapsulated in the name and under one roof.

 “Park your nags, boys, we’re staying at this here Hotel Whiskey.”

Seaside towns have all gotten too prissy and pink for my tastes. Even the workaday Apalachicola in the Florida Panhandle has gone boutique.  What happened to boats in every yard, and dives? One can only buy so many souvenir golf visors. Beer, on the other hand….

I’m much more put off by pretty little wooden signs swinging from a post and decorated with a pelican than I am HOTEL in red. Something perverse in me, I guess.

The Pensacola of my youth may have influenced my taste in towns by the coast. I remember cinderblock homes near the bay, including my family’s, which was painted pink and convinced me we were rich. I can hear right now the cheap glass wind chimes hanging from my friend Margaret’s carport; they made a better sound than any of the expensive ones do now. There were eclectic neighborhoods that mixed demographics the way a blender mixes margaritas, with boats on trailers, or sometimes blocks, as de rigueur as the shell driveways.

I’ve always described the Mississippi Gulf Coast as the last remaining authentic seaside place left in the South. When I drive along Railroad Avenue I get the feeling I’m back in the 1950s, with snow ball stands and bars with funny names and tire stores and beauty shops. It’s as if the Panhandle of old and New Orleans had a love child and we’re living in it.

After Katrina there’s been the temptation to zone the seaside spontaneity out of communities. It’s good that condominiums were pretty much kept at bay, and historic properties intact, and I definitely believe in separating commercial and residential. But a little leeway for color and character comes with the territory, don’t you think?
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Take my opinion with a grain of sea salt. Remember I’m the girl that starts her diet with a steak and a sweet, washed down with good wine.
 

In the early 80s, a visitor to Bay St. Louis was smitten with the historic cottage at 308 Main Street. Thirty-five years and one addition later, it's the Millers' dream home. 
- story and photographs by Ellis Anderson

The New Orleans celebration seen on TV around the country differs from the local experience, where miracles -  both small and large - are commonplace. 
- story and photos by Ellis Anderson 

Shoofly columnist Martha Whitney Butler takes a #tbt to #tve (the Victorian era) to translate the language of flowers.

​Floriography, as it is formally known, was practiced most famously during the Victorian era as a way for lovers to convey cryptic messages to one another. Often times these messages were skewed and wrought with folly, but if the sender took the time and care to pronounce the "words" correctly, they could be translated quite accurately.

When the sender selected a bouquet, he or she would carefully select each flower based on its meaning. Several flowers could create an elaborate display of affection, but one wrong bud could send the recipient flailing into a pit of despair. Some even used it to schedule a secret rendezvous right under a watchful guardian's nose.

It quickly became the language of young lovers engaged in whirlwind Romeo and Juliet romances. In this era of etiquette, it was considered impolite to express emotions in public. One could not peacock themselves on Facebook and express their joy or disdain, so they expressed themselves with poetry, romantic literature, and flowers. Real flowers - not to be confused with flower emojis. They actually gave each other flowers. Allow me to translate:
❤️= flowers 
☺️= flowers
?= flowers 

When I design flowers for weddings and daily arrangements, I am often cognizant of the flowers I am using and the stigmas attached to them. For example, you wouldn't want to send your mother a bouquet of red roses because they denote passion - gross. When I create a bridal flower crown, I often use myrtle as the base because it symbolizes a happy marriage. 
 
Besides reading into the meaning of each flower, there was a whole set of etiquette that applied to the hand off. Handing over a bouquet with the right hand would denote a "yes" response, while handing it over with the left hand would mean "no".

For example, if a lady received a bouquet, plucked a bloom and handed it to the gentleman with the right hand, she was accepting his token of affection. Handing the bloom over with the left would mean rejection.

Remember, the Victorian period was exceptionally rigid when it came to social graces. To reject someone in a subtle manner such as this was the polite thing to do. A form of this is still employed today: "swipe right" when you like someone and "swipe left" to make them go away on dating apps like Tinder. Some things never go out of fashion... Subtle rejection is one of them.

If you look up each flower, you will see like in any language, the translations vary. However, if you're lucky enough to find an antique copy of The Language of Flowers, scoop it up! Several of these texts were created in pocket-sized versions so that they could be produced on the spot. Equate it to the Pokémon Go craze of our era - it was THE thing to do! 
 
I do caution people to not look into it too much, but it was a fun pastime in the old days to receive a tussie-mussie and scurry to your flower dictionary to interpret a meaning that may (or may not) lie within the blooms. Can you just imagine some poor gent handing over a freshly-plucked hydrangea (heartlessness) to his fair lady? Oh, the humanity! 
 
Below you will find MY TAKE of a few favorite flowers that are readily available this Valentine's season and their meanings. For a more comprehensive (and true) guide, check out the Old Farmer's Almanac. 

Ranunculus - "I don't know what this flower is called, but the florist said you would love them."
 
Roses (gas station variety)- "I bought you this rose and a pack of Camels too!"
or "I bought you this rose so I could use the glass tube it came in for a chemistry experiment."
 
Roses (grocery store)- "I forgot the milk, but grabbed these tie-dyed roses on my way out in an effort to appease you."
 
Roses (florist)- "I thought about you in advance and wanted you to know how much I love you."

Noted author Katy Simpson Smith spearheads a program that brings writers into high schools, challenging students to tackle problems in their own communities - with the power of the pen. 
- by LB Kovac

Smith is an author by trade - her first novel, “The Story of Land and Sea” (2014), was released to good reviews, and her latest novel, “Free Men”, has similarly received high praise from publications like “Vogue,” “The Washington Post,” and “The New York Times.”

And so it makes sense that, from her initial inspiration in that high school classroom, Smith would develop a way to demonstrate to students the power of their words.

Heirs of that Revolution ​

​Smith is behind Write for Mississippi (WFM), an organization that seeks to “use creative writing and storytelling to further the causes of community engagement, social justice, free speech, historical responsibility…” WFM’s latest advocacy uses writing as a “springboard for action,” empowering students – students at high schools across all 82 counties of Mississippi – to pinpoint and address problems within their own communities.

​With her project, Smith poses two questions to Mississippi’s students: “What is a problem within your community? How could you fix it?” Dubbed, “What Can We Do For Our Country?” WFM marries writing, duty, and advocacy.

Smith’s questions are questions that writers from every generation of American history have considered. One example is Maya Angelou, author of the poem, “Still I Rise.” Published in 1978, the poem speaks to the era’s restrictions imposed on the civil liberties of African Americans.

By the simple act of writing the poem, Angelou brought to light a pressing problem in her own community.

Smith hopes that students will be inspired by the works of writers like Angelou, Danez Smith, Langston Hughes, and others. By getting students to engage with issues personal to them and asking them to think about possible solutions, Smith says it will “provoke students into thinking of themselves as agents of change.” From there, who knows what will happen?

A Special Pledge

This isn’t Smith’s first foray into civic action. Last year, Smith created an alliance of 95 writers to petition against Mississippi’s H.B.1523, also known as the “Religious Liberty Accommodations Act” or “First Amendment Defense Act.”   

This bill, which Governor Phil Bryant signed into law, would make it legal for organizations, businesses, and private citizens to discriminate against patrons or employees based on their perceived sex or their sexual orientation. 

The response to Smith’s latest project, Write For Mississippi so far has been heartening. More than 40 writers have volunteered their time and skills to lead the project’s proposed 50-minute classroom workshops. Teachers and educators in 22 of Mississippi’s counties have responded with requests for these visiting writer’s workshops. And a GoFundMe page set up to cover costs reached more than 85% of its goal in less than 18 days (click on the link to donate to the project).

But Smith isn’t satisfied with those numbers. She’d like to have all 82 counties in Mississippi represented in the project.

Area teachers interested in participating in “What Can We Do For Our Country?” can contact Smith through the Write for Mississippi website. Smith will pair each classroom with a writer and plan the workshop sometime between the beginning of February and the end of April, schedules permitting.

And educators unable to accommodate writers can lead their own workshops with the classroom materials and sample lesson plan provided on the Write for Mississippi website.

A Celebration of Freedom

​Smith says that the ultimate goal of the project, beyond inspiring the children to take initiative and seek to change things in their own communities, is to collect the best poems, essays, and short stories that come out of the workshops and publish them as a collection in a book to be distributed across the state.

This way, other students across the state will feel empowered to address issues in their own communities. And, among the voices of the next generation of Mississippi writers, there might be another Kennedy, Smith, or Angelou.

The mild winters of the Mississippi Gulf Coast entice flocks of residents from colder climes, ready to bask in the balmy weather.
- story by Lisa Monti

Billy Baumgartner, the golf course manager, said the snowbirds who golf at the Bridges start arriving on the Coast in February and some stick around until May. This season looks to be on track with past years. “We’ve already started booking,” he said. “They’re coming.”
 
They soon will be joining local golfers on the award-winning course designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer.
 
“We still have locals who play but this time of year is our busy season when we get the bulk of our play,” he said. Upwards of 30 percent of the annual rounds are played during snowbird season. “Maybe a little bit more,” he said.
 
Many of the snowbirds faithfully make the annual trek because they know they can count on the weather and other coastal amenities like fresh seafood. Golfing is a huge draw for them and the Bridges is a favorite for many. “We’ve got them coming from Chicago, St. Louis, some from Canada, and all around the Midwest,” he said.
 
Not surprisingly, our warm climate is a big attraction for the visitors from up north. “They’re just escaping the cold. We average about 59 or 60 degrees this time of year. It’s a good change for them,” he said. 

​At Buccaneer State Park in Waveland, visitors this time of year come from all over, including some from up north, according to a park staffer. “They’re from everywhere,” she said. “Most are snowbirds. We have some now from Canada and Indiana.”
 
And it’s not unusual for campers to start arriving in December and stay for up to three months. “We have a good bit of people staying over a month,” she said.
 
The park earns high marks from those who visit and the feedback is positive. Considering its many amenities and beachfront location, snowbirds return year after year.
 
Water is also among the selling points for the Bridges. Baumgartner said his  pitch to potential players are “scenic views of the Bay, no homes on the course and target-oriented golf.” Even with recent heavy rain and freezing temperatures here, he said, “The course is in great shape right now.”

Carnival and Creativity go hand-in-hand - especially in these five very different sorts of Mardi Gras parades.  They're all within easy driving distance from the Mississippi coast and make for a fun-filled day trip!
​- story by Karen Fineran 

A tribute to a remarkable rescue dog and Shoofly columnist, Daisy Mae, who passed away in January.  Daisy Mae, we won't forget you. 
​- by Christiana Richardson, PhD

In addition to being a management consultant, I am also a grief counselor. Many a client has been helped by having Daisy sit next to them while we talk. Daisy worked with me at the American Red Cross – responding to emergencies where she would sit with the children to be a calming force - a mannequin as we taught pet first aid. Sometimes the participants had her so bandaged that only her nose was sticking out.

Together we wrote about and talked about issues that matter – not just to animal people but to everyone. Taking care of and loving and being loved is a gift not to be taken lightly. We are who we are because of the love in our lives. Make room for love and love in return.

This morning my constant companion of 15 years died in my arms. I will love her forever. I hope that you have had and will have the gift of unconditional love. I will cry with my friends and I know how lucky I have been. As Daisy said – dear gentle readers keep your tail high and your feet dry!

Puppy Dog Tales will go on – Daisy’s brother Robbie will be writing. I expect a rougher edge as he is a dominate male.  Here is a photo of him last year with Daisy in her Micky Evans bustier. Mikey is not one who dresses up.  Too frivolous!

​The sign on her cage read: 13 months old, excessive barker, not housetrained. Her chances of survival were slim until Lost Dog and Cat Rescue saw her. She was spayed and then taken to the PetSmart in Alexandria, VA.

I just happened to be there getting cat food and this dog walked over to me. She was up for adoption and it took about 20 minutes until she was mine. Two days after joining our family she got very agitated, tugging at me and whining. Shortly thereafter I had a seizure. She had alerted me. After doing this twice more my doctor said she had the gift and she became my registered seizure alert dog.

From this day forward she has been my constant companion and a game changer in my life. I was a management consultant and Daisy went with me. We stayed in hotels and ate in their restaurants. Daisy liked the tables with tablecloths to the floor and we wrote an article for the hotel magazine about that.

Soon we were writing for numerous papers on all things animal. Daisy got such a good reputation that I was asked to also do some writing. I became a journalist writing on many topics and Daisy and I have been on the masthead of three newspapers and a columnist for the Shoofly Magazine.
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The February Artwalk sparkles with Carnival glamour as the town celebrates two Hot Spot businesses:  Cuz's Seafood Restaurant (108 S. Beach Blvd) and The French Potager (213 Main Street)! 
- by Grace Birch, photos by Grace Birch and Martha Whitney Butler

​There are a few unmistakable smells in this world. Two of them are chargrilled oysters ard boiled crawfish.
 
Chances are a walk along Beach Boulevard in Bay St Louis, and a whiff of these will pull you in to Cuz’s Old Town Oyster Bar & Grill. 
 
Cuz and Christy Barnes, who have operated Cuz’s since 2004, have recently moved their beloved boiled seafood restaurant to the center of the action along the Bay’s Beach Boulevard into the bottom floor of the French Settlement building. 
 
The Barnes’ have also handed the keys over to their daughter Ramie, who is often at the front of the restaurant with a smile or hopping from table to table making sure customers are enjoying themselves.
 
“We love crawfish, we love fresh seafood and we have things to offer on the beach that no one else has,” Ramie Barnes said. “The food at Cuz’s is something different.”
 
Cuz’s has long been a mecca for locals, but now tourists are walking through the doors in droves. On a recent visit, an out-of-town couple was bellied up to the bar ordering hot boiled crawfish for the second day in a row.
 
“We see a lot of locals and a lot of return visitors, especially during the crawfish season,” Barnes said. “It’s always good to see people return time and time again.”

​Cuz’s ingredients are sourced locally. Oysters from Pass Christian and crawfish, shrimp and crabs come in seasonally and daily.
 
“We’ve always been known for fresh fried and boiled seafood,” Barnes said. “Now we are also offering lots of grilled items, which we’ve never offered before.”

The chargrilled oysters are a new menu item, as well as seared tuna steaks, blackened redfish, trout étouffée and pastas.
 
“Our new smoked redfish and smoked tuna dip appetizers are very popular,” Barnes said. “We smoke the fish here are the restaurant.” 
 
Cuz’s daiquiri machines are whirring year round — margaritas and bushwhackers often are the staples, but the bar is trying out new seasonal drinks, as well.
 
“Our eggnog daiquiri was such a hit, we decided to try a frozen King Cake daiquiri, which has several different types rum and Bailey’s Irish Cream,” Barnes said. 
 
The purple drink comes in a hurricane glass rimmed with yellow, purple and green sugar and tastes just like a traditional King Cake.
 
Cuz’s also offers gourmet Pop Brother’s Popsicles for something sweet the whole family can enjoy.
 
Locals and tourists alike will enjoy Taco Tuesday, which features $3 shrimp or fish tacos and $3 margaritas.
 
Whether it’s a craving for boiled seafood, one of Cuz’s famous po-boys or you are looking to honor a healthy New Year’s resolution with something grilled, Cuz’s won’t disappoint. Just follow your nose down Beach Boulevard.

“My mom wants me to get married just so Martha Whitney can do the flowers at the wedding.” 
 
The first time I overheard this statement, I couldn’t believe my ears, but there’s a reason I’ve heard this several times now from several different potential brides. 
 
When you see the floral arrangements and antiques at The French Potager on Main Street, you can’t believe your eyes. 

Martha Whitney Butler grew up with a passion for flowers and antiques. French Potager was the name of her parents’ antiques business in Alabama, but Butler has made her Main Street business completely on her own. 
 
“My parents’ hobby has turned into my livelihood,” Butler said.

The floral inspiration comes by Butler’s mother as well – every Sunday for years, she’s arranged the flowers for her church’s Sunday services.
 
“She would have the florist come over to the house every Christmas and decorate the house,” Butler said. “She also has an incredible rose garden.”
 
Butler grew up going to Europe on antique buying trips with her mother, mostly to France. 
 
“My mom would drag me out at 6am in Paris to go to antique street markets,” Whitney said. “We would just bring a couple of outfits or old clothes that we would wear and throw away so we’d have plenty of room in our suitcases.”
 
Her childhood weekends were spent going to antique auctions where she would bid on things as a young child. Butler ran her first antique booth at 16 years old, which means she’s been an antique dealer half of her life. 

​“Like a true merchant, everywhere I go, I want to bring that back and share it with our community,” said Whitney. “I’m an ambassador that brings Bay St. Louis to the world and brings a bit of the world back to the Bay.”
 
Butler has nine vendors in her shop, with treasures from all over, which means new items are coming through the door every day. 
 
On her recent Mexican honeymoon, Butler brought back lots of items that evoked the spirit of Frida Kahlo. She has a few big trips to Europe on the horizon to Europe where she’ll be attending floral workshops and looking for finds to bring back to the Bay.
 
There are no coolers or freezers at The French Potager, which means all the blooms are out for all to admire and smell, and the flowers are fresh.
 
The French Potager does a “Blooms for Business” service where they deliver fresh flowers to local businesses every Thursday. She also makes unique arrangements, like roses tucked in beautiful gift boxes, for special occasions - like this month’s Valentine’s Day. 
 
Planning a romantic dinner in town? The French Potager can deliver flowers to the restaurant to make the table setting extra special.
 
“In addition to our antiques, accessories and home goods, we are a full-service florist,” Butler said. “The best part about being a florist is that we are a part of everything in people’s life — when they are born, when they get married, when they die - we are there. It’s a very fulfilling career.”

The publication and printing of a book is a complicated process.  Shoofly book writer, Carole McKellar, demystifies the process.  

The back cover is reserved for favorable comments about the book or a previous book by the same writer. A recommendation by a famous author or media outlet like The New York Times Book Review can make a big difference in a book’s sales. The front flap of the cover has a brief synopsis of the book with information that may also appear in abbreviated form on the back cover. The back flap is reserved for a picture of the author and some biographical information.

The interior of most books follows a certain order. The end papers, or leaves, are the blank pages in the front and back of a book. Some end pages are plain paper, but many contain graphics such as maps or drawings related to the contents. The half-title page contains only the book’s title followed on the next page by other books by the author. The title page states the author’s and the publisher’s name in addition to the title. The copyright page, on the back of the title page, contains the year the copyright was issued for publication, the publisher’s address, the ISBN (International Standard Book Number), the printing numbers, and the =Library of Congress catalogue information.
 
Writers apply for a copyright to ensure that their work is protected from theft or unlawful use. The U.S. Copyright Office requires a written application, a filing fee, and a copy of the book. The copyright, once issued,  endures for 70 years after the author’s death. After that date, the book becomes part of the public domain. Since the works of Shakespeare and Jane Austen are in the public domain now, we are free to quote them without paying money to their estate. Visual arts, performing arts, and digital content are also eligible for copyright protection.
​
My current favorite book, “Upstream” by Mary Oliver, published by Penguin Press, has a noteworthy motto on the copyright page:

         Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

​The United States authorizes a private agency to issue ISBNs to books to facilitate tracking and distribution. Without an ISBN, books cannot be sold to bookstores or libraries. Once the application is made, a 13 digit ISBN number is issued for each edition of a book including e-books, international editions, and audiobooks. Books published prior to 2007 have 10-digit ISBN numbers while those published later have 13 digits. 
 
Books may be registered with the Library of Congress, but registration is only necessary if the book will appear in libraries. Many self-published books aren’t registered. The U.S. Copyright Office is housed within the Library of Congress building in Washington, D.C, so all copyright records are stored there.
 
As I mentioned in a previous column I joined the First Editions Club of Parnassus Books in Nashville. They send me a signed first edition of their choosing each month. Some books have “First Edition” printed on the copyright page, but that’s not true of all first editions. The printing numbers on the bottom of the page are more reliable indicators of edition number. Some numbers are in order 1-10, but frequently there is a nonsensical arrangement of numbers.That really doesn’t matter because you only need look at the lowest number to determine the print edition of your book. 
 
In the front of my book, “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles, the printing numbers read like this: 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2. I knew that I had a true first edition because of the number 1. Another first edition in my collection, “My Name is Lucy  Barton” by Elizabeth Strout, had the numbers arrayed this way: 2 4 6 8 9 7 5 3 1.  A friend recently gave me a copy of “Paris to the Moon” by Adam Gopnik which was first published in 2000. I know it was a popular book because the printing numbers were 34 36 38 39 37 35, which meant that I had the 34th edition of the book.

The dedication page allows the author to acknowledge people important to them. Few dedications explain the reason for the dedication and only state names. One of my favorites was the dedication in “Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin,” a collection of essays and stories by humorist, Calvin Trillin. It reads, “My wife, Alice, appears as a character in many of these pieces. Before her death, in 2001, even the pieces that didn’t mention her were written in the hope of making her giggle. This book is dedicated to her memory.”
 
Acknowledgements may come at the beginning or end of the book and provide a place for the author to thank people who were helpful with the book. They may include family, friends, agents, and/or professional colleagues.
 
The end of the book may contain a glossary, bibliography, index, and/or appendix, but these are usually found only in nonfiction books. An item that often appears in the back of the book is ‘A Note About Type’ which explains the typeface and can be pretentious as in the following from “Paris to the Moon”:
​
         The book was set in Fairfield, the first typeface from the hand of the distinguished 
         American artist and engraver Rudolph Ruzicka (1883-1978). In its structure Fairfield 
         displays the sober and sane qualities of the master craftsman whose talent has long 
         been dedicated to clarity. It is this trait that accounts for the trim grace and vigor, 
         the spirited design and sensitive balance, of this original typeface.

The “Big Five” book publishers in the United States contain multiple divisions, or imprints, which can seem like a maze to the average reader. Below are the “Big Five” and some of the imprints within them:
   •     Hatchette Book Group - Little, Brown, and Company; Orbit
   •     Harper Collins - William Morrow; Avon Books; Broadside Books; Ecco Books; It Books; Newmarket Press
   •     McMillan Publishers - Farrar, Straus and Giroux; Henry Holt and Company; Picador; St. Martin’s Press, 
   •     Penguin Random House has nearly 250 imprints and publishing houses. Some of the most well-known are: Random House Publishing Group, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group; Crown Publishing Group; Penguin Group U.S.; Dorling Kindersley (DK)
   •     Simon & Schuster - Scribner; Touchstone; Atheneuum
 
In addition to the big publishing houses, there are small presses that publish writers who may not otherwise get accepted by the larger houses. Many small presses, like Milkweed Editions and McSweeney’s, are nonprofit organizations that publish new and emerging writers. Coffee House Press, another nonprofit press, has published more that 300 books, with over 250 still in print. Coffee House is a favorite of mine because they have the most interesting and artful book covers. Without small presses, talented writers would not receive the opportunity for discovery.
 
More than 300,000 books were published in the United States in 2013, the last year I could find statistics. The information was provided by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which monitors the number and type of books published per country each year as “an important index of standard of living and education, and of a country’s self-awareness.”

​Many more books are self-published, but those are not often found in bookstores or libraries. According to the Association of American Publishers, almost $28 billion in revenues were generated by the sales of books in all formats. Unit sales of print books rose 3.3% in 2016 over the previous year, so the book is far from extinct. According to Nielsen BookScan, which tracks about 80% of print sales in the U.S, total print unit sales reached $674 million, marking the third straight year of growth.

We read books for many reasons. Whether we read to learn more about the world and our place in it or simply for entertainment, understanding what goes into the making of the book adds to the experience.
 

A champion sailor and civic volunteer has a simple motto that spurs her on:  "Get moving!"
- story by Pat Saik

Boost your wardrobe with some top-quality clothing at a fraction of the original cost with these seven tips for efficient - and fun - thrift store shopping.
- story by Greg Matusoff

Now I look at things differently.  Very differently.  That same $1,200 could be a brick walkway or any number of house projects that I have drawn up in my head.  Today, my life is filled with priorities, projects, and interests that all cost money, and there is only so much of it to go around. 

I still love to shop for clothes, and I always have, but now I do it a bit differently - I live for the hunt of sales and bargains.  I love the idea of getting more for less, and ultimately spending less leaves more for other interests. 

Please don't misunderstand me, clothes shopping is not my first priority.  But I have always been a bit of a clothes horse and a label snob.  I am a sucker when it comes to certain labels and I always will be.  But while living in New York, thrifting opened my eyes to a whole new way of shopping.  

Unfortunately resale shops sometimes get a bad rap.  Some people are uncomfortable with purchasing used clothes or even walking in the door - other than to donate.  But trust me, you'll see all kinds of folks at the thrift store and will likely bump into a few of your friends there, too. 

After some great scores (think $17 Gucci hi-tops, a vintage Oleg Cassini pin stripe suit for $25, and Ralph Lauren Purple Label wool trench coat for $34), I've found some tried and true methods for setting yourself up for a great day thrifting.

If you're ready to take the plunge, follow these seven steps to become a thrifting aficionado.

1.  Location, location, location

​Just like in real estate, location makes all the difference.  When looking for somewhere to thrift, think 'upscale' neighborhoods and towns.  Peach Tree if you're heading to Atlanta, Fairhope, Ocean Springs, some parts of Baton Rouge and New Orleans have great thrift shops.  And don't forget to check out the local shops when on vacation!

2.  Look up

As soon as you walk into a thrift store - look up.  You'll often see a board with a color chart detailing what's on sale.  It might be that white tags are 30% off, red tags 45% and green tags 70%, and if you go back the next day it could be completely different.  Other stores will discount based on the day.  Each store does it a little differently, so don't be afraid to ask for help. 

3.  Change in seasons

The first of the year, spring cleaning, and putting away the winter clothes... we're all doing the big closet cleaning around the same time.  And if that's the case, it means that the thrift shops are likely overflowing.  So if your closet is feeling a little empty after last month's article on reorganization, now's a great time to look for a few new items to fill it back up.

4.  Read the fine print

​Again, each store is different, but some allow returns, some do not so make sure and ask first.  One of my favorite stores does not allow returns nor has dressing rooms (wear clothes that you can slip a pair of jeans over).

5.  Tailor/cobbler

If you see a beautifully made jacket that's missing a button, some wool pants that are too long, or shoes that have a loose heel, fret not.  As long as the item is well made, you can always bring it to a tailor or cobbler to have it repaired.  A $5 item with $15 at the tailor is a small price to pay for what looks like custom made!

6.  Manage expectations

If you're trying to find size 8 gold stilletos that'll match your Mardi Gras ball gown, thrifting may not be your best choice.  While there are amazing things to be found, there's no rhyme or reason, so please manage your expectations.

7.  Have fun

Thrifting can be great entertainment.  It's best to go with a friend or two - just make sure you're both not going to want the same pair of jeans! 

Thrift shopping for me has become as much about the hunt as it is the spoils.  While some days I walk away with nothing, I had fun and spent nothing. But this doesn't happen often.  Most the time, I have a cart full of scores all for less than I would have spent on a pair of designer jeans bought retail.
​
So don't just think of thrift stores when it comes to Halloween.  You might be surprised to find them a new staple in your fashion toolbox.  By following these simple steps you can increase your wardrobe for a fraction of the cost  get some incredible finds in the process.

​And in the end, we should all feel good about our own personal expression and live an inspired life.

A Bay St. Louis accounting firm opens a new office in Diamondhead as a growing number of individuals and businesses discover the advantages  - and value - of hometown expertise.  
- story by Ellis Anderson

Been knocked down by cold and flu this winter?  Find out six easy ways to boost your immune system so you'll win the next round.
- by Christina Richardson, PhD  

A local chef who studied in the world capital of chocolate confections offers up divine treats in time for Valentine's Day.
 - story by Lisa Monti, photography by Julie Ragusa 

Ragusa took advantage of being in the middle of that chocolate-rich culture as part of her professional development. “I learned everything I could about chocolate,” she said, including making a vegan, organic version. She formed her own small chocolate company and hosted parties, pairing chocolates with wine and champagne, and taught classes on chocolate-making with dairy alternatives.
 
Now, she’s about to branch out into truffle-making as a side enterprise. The truffles come in two rich parts: a chocolate ganache center and a coating of high quality chocolate that gives it a crunchy shell. Then the truffle is topped with nuts, coconut or sea salt, taking it to another eye-rolling level.

​“I’m so excited about working with chocolate,” she said. “I love coming up with new flavors.”
 
For Valentine’s Day, the Mockingbird will have red velvet cake, heart-shaped King cakes and a double chocolate cake topped with chocolate truffles. Chef Ragusa personally will be making and selling handmade chocolate truffles in an assortment of flavors for purchase through her Facebook page or via Mockingbird Cafe. Look for prices and varieties to be posted soon.

Julie's truffles are available in packages of 8 (2 of each flavor below) for $15 (plus tax).  Order one day in advance (before Feb. 12 for Valentine's Day pick-up) on Chef Julie Ragusa's Facebook page or at the Mockingbird Café, 110 S. Second Street.  Orders can be picked up at the Mockingbird Café.  

Buttermilk Ganache (semi- sweet)
Cafe Olé (milk chocolate)
Darkest Hour (60% dark)
Black and White (white chocolate ganache with 60% dark shell)

A small Mardi Gras museum in the historic Bay St. Louis depot features samplings of the extraordinary costumes designed by the iconic Carter Church.  Celebrate Nereids 50th anniversary by visiting!
- by Rebecca Orfila, photos by Ellis Anderson 

Ornate satin gowns, capes and breeches, headdresses, and beads are de rigueur at balls and on floats.  During our recent visit to the Mardi Gras Museum, Susan Duffy, the Depot’s concierge, explained that a queen’s costume can take as many as 400 hours to create.  Each crystal jewel is individually pasted onto the gowns and other pieces of the royal ensemble.

​The dresses are special creations, fitted to each individual participant.  Both royals wear high collars - iced with sparkling silver decorations, crystals jewels, and flowing with white or dyed ostrich feathers.  The high collars are a modern design, typical for contemporary queens and kings. 
 
The Nereids Kings’ and attending dukes’ costumes are equally elaborate and consist of tunics, short capes, and knee-length breeches.  The King’s crown is smaller than the Queen’s and is decorated with the special motif of the year - and white ostrich feathers. 
 
The other costumes in the collection were also created by Carter Church.  After a brief period of rest following Mardi Gras, Church begins to design ceremonial regalia for the next Carnival season.  Krewes in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama reach out to him for their costuming needs. 
 
In most cases, the theme for the next year is determined by a krewe; then, it becomes Church’s duty to create sparkling ceremonial clothing to illustrate the chosen motif.  Fanciful designs, such as an alligator and swamp scene on a queen’s gown or Aztec-themed costumes intertwined with satin snakes are typical of Church’s detailed designs. 
 
Church’s original design drawings are situated in front of each display at the Mardi Gras Museum. His drawings are beautiful in their own right. His many years of experience have gained him noteworthy acclaim in the fashion industry. 

​In a small exhibit slightly off the main hall of the museum is the costume Carter Church wore as King of Nereids in 2013.  Church said that serving as King of a the famous all-women krewe  was the highlight of his life.
 
Also included in the display is a Queen’s collar in the Medici style.  The late 16th Century fashion consists of a rigid fan worn upright behind the head of a female wearer, not the large, towering form seen in modern queens’ regalia.  The Medici style collar is decorated with crystals and silver decorations.
 
Costs for such finery can vary from nominal amounts to thousands of dollars.  In the case of Kings and Queens of some krewes, the costumes will be worn the following year during the presentation ceremonies at the balls when the previous year’s royalty is presented to the new King and Queen. 

​One of the museums’ volunteers is Martha Franks, who has a special connection to it.  Mrs. Franks is Carter Church’s sister.  When the number of visitors rises during the busy seasons at the museum, or the staff is otherwise occupied, Mrs. Franks gracefully steps in and guides the guests through the display.  According to Duffy, she is well versed on the royal wear and the creation of each special costume.
 
The museum’s collection of elaborate costumes dotted with crystals and feathers give out-of-town visitors an up-close view of the Mardi Gras celebration. According to Duffy, approximately 800 to 1,000 people stop by the Depot each month.   Each visitor is welcomed with his or her own set of Mardi Gras beads. 
 
The Mission-style train depot is also home to the Hancock County Tourism Development Bureau, headed by Myrna Green. The historic building was restored after Hurricane Katrina. The depot and the grounds surrounding it are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it is a Mississippi Landmark Property.
 
The museum is located at 1928 Depot Way in Bay St. Louis and is open every day of the year except Sundays, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The second floor of the Depot is home to the nationally acclaimed folk artist Alice Moseley's museum.